Wow! This is very visually different. The Food Allergy Parent Education Group in Las Vegas posted this on their facebook page and I just took a peek. I’m still trying to absorb the New Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (that’s the new name) created by Food Allergy Research and Education. The plan is for use in schools, but I keep copies in our emergency medicine bags since the data includes emergency contact information, etc. I’ve spent 13 years with a format that had changed over the years but only slightly. This is a large visual departure from days before. I have to say, I’m not sure yet if I like the new design. Could be the old challenge of teaching an old dog new tricks?! Have you seen the new form? I’m curious of your thoughts?
Special note: the Top image is courtesy of Stuart Miles via Freedigitalphotos.net
Thoughts on the New Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan
Immediately, I was taken back by the strong use of black, but then I really warmed up to it since the document is much more easy to visually identify and it looks strong and important. I like how there are basically two columns: one for Severe Symptoms and one for Mild Symptoms. To be honest, after the recent and painful death of Natalie Giorgi I worry that the untrained responder might mistake severe symptoms for mild ones. My family’s protocol is to simply treat all reactions as if they are severe. My children only carry Anti-histamines for cat and dog allergies, so I’m not personally comfortable with the side-by-side presentation of the mild symptoms. I feel they are both receiving the same attention and quite frankly, I want Severe to ring out loud at everyone.
Here is a close up photo of the symptoms
The element I struggle with the most is that the one beautiful sentence right after the first check box that was on the old form: “If checked, give epinephrine immediately for ANY symptoms if the allergen was likely eaten”. This sentence has been moved over the mild symptoms column and to be honest, I missed it. I did not see it until I consciously looked for it.
This is the previous form and I tried to do my best to take a photo of the sentence I miss.
The previous and current form still includes this very important statement: “If checked, give epinephrine immediately if the allergen was definitely eaten, even if there are no symptoms”. This simple sentence could have possibly saved Natalie Giorgi and a few others. Therefore, I’m very happy it remained. The new form also provides bullet pointed, step-by-step instructions–which is key during a crisis situation. I’m a check list kind of gal through and through and I really like this element. I’m hoping the new form will grow on me, but since our school year has already started I will not use this form or ask my children’s school to use it until next year.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..